Temperatures forecast to remain high over next week

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) Taiwan will continue to experience sizzling temperatures for the next week, although the heat might ease a bit after Friday, the Central Weather Bureau said Wednesday.

The highest temperature of the day -- 37 degrees Celsius -- was recorded at 12:52 p.m. in Taipei, forecasters said.

On Tuesday, the mercury soared to 38.3 degrees Celsius in the city, the highest temperature so far this year, surpassing the high of 37.6 degrees recorded the previous day.

According to the bureau, a Pacific high-pressure system that is currently hovering over Taiwan is expected to weaken after Friday, which will help bring down the mercury by one to two degrees Celsius.

In an effort to reduce the heat island effect in Taipei, water trucks were dispatched around the city Wednesday to sprinkle the streets with recycled water.

Officials from the city's environmental protection department said the temperature of asphalt-paved roads can reach 54 degrees Celsius in hot weather, but sprinkling the streets can immediately bring down the road temperature to 49 degrees.

Generally, this can help cool the city and reduce the need for air-conditioning, the officials said.